Death/Obituary (8)

If you listened to soul music in the 70’s, then the name ‘Cuba Gooding’ didn’t stir images of “Jerry Maguire” or “The People v O.J. Simpson”; Instead the name Cuba Gooding made fans sway and swoon to the rhythms of hard core soul music.

Cuba Gooding Sr.’s raspy, soulful voice helped push his singing group “The Main Ingredient” to the top of the charts in the 70’s. The group that took the idea for its name from the label of a Coke Cola bottle was a hit with their first lyrics. Their first hit charted in 1970 with the song “You’ve Been My Inspiration”, but their “Spinning Around (I Must Be Falling in Love)” had all the right ingredients to land “The Main Ingredient” into the Top 10.

The soul group finally found its flow and a year later soared to the top of the charts again as the voice of a generation with the Black-power anthem “Black Seeds Keep on Growing”. Just as their star was rising, tragedy would cause their spirits to fall. The group’s lead singer, Donald McPherson died of leukemia. The group mourned, but didn’t lose momentum and quickly made one of the back up singers, Cuba Gooding, the new front man. It was the right singer and the right season.

With Gooding on lead vocals, the group recorded its first smash hit, “Everybody Plays the Fool”. The song not only hit number two on the R&B charts, but crossed over to top the Pop charts as well landing at number three. The group soon released its first hit album “Bitter Sweet”.

The album title “Bitter Sweet” was an appropriate reflection of Gooding Sr.’s early life. Gooding’s father moved to Harlem from Cuba after his wife was murdered because of her ties to the Marcus Garvey movement. He kept a promise made on her deathbed to name his first son Cuba. When Cuba Sr. turned 11, his father died. Leaving childhood pain behind, Cuba Sr. eventually left New York and headed to southern California where his singing career took off and so did his personal life. He married another and the couple had four children. Only one son, Tommy, followed his father’s love for music. Daughter April and sons Omar and Cuba Jr. all were drawn to acting with his namesake having the most successful career.

On April 20th, the harmony that Gooding had spent his life creating turned into heartbreak for fans. Gooding was found dead inside his parked Jaguar in an L.A. neighborhood. Cause of death has not been released at this time. Gooding died a week before his 73rd birthday.

His son Cuba Jr. shared his grief with friends and fans on IG with an album cover featuring his dad and a one word caption-“Eternal…”

Gwen covered eight presidential campaigns, moderated two vice-presidential debates and served for 17 years on the NewsHour and as moderator and managing editor of “Washington Week.” In her early career, she covered politics and city hall for some of the country’s most prominent newspapers, including the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Baltimore Evening Sun, carving a path as one of the most accomplished journalists in U.S. media. She won countless awards, including the George Foster Peabody Award and the National Press Club’s Fourth Estate Award, and was the best-selling author of “The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama.”

Gwen’s death has left her colleagues devastated.

“She was a standard bearer for courage, fairness and integrity in an industry going through seismic change,” said the NewsHour’s executive producer, Sara Just. “She was a mentor to so many across the industry — a journalist’s journalist who set an example for all around her.”

And from her co-anchor, Judy Woodruff: “She was not only my dear friend, she was the best partner one can imagine, because she was committed to fairness and to the finest in journalism. You always knew when working with Gwen that she had your back. I’m crushed that she won’t be sitting by my side on the NewsHour anymore, but her mark on this program and on American journalism will endure.”

President Obama touched on Gwen’s death at a press conference on Monday, calling her an “extraordinary journalist” who “always kept faith with the fundamental responsibility of her profession.”

“I always appreciated Gwen’s reporting, even when I was at the receiving end of one of her tough and thorough interviews,” said Obama, noting that Gwen was one half, along with Judy Woodruff, of the first all-female anchor team in broadcast journalism.

He added, “She not only informed today’s citizens, but she also inspired tomorrow’s journalists.”

"We are all shocked and saddened by the devastating and untimely loss of Kimbo Slice, a beloved member of the Bellator family," Bellator president Scott Coker said in a statement, calling Slice "a charismatic, larger-than-life personality that transcended the sport."

"Outside of the cage he was a friendly, gentle giant and a devoted family man," Coker said. "His loss leaves us all with extremely heavy hearts, and our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Ferguson family and all of Kimbo's friends, fans, and teammates."

Kimbo Slice is a very scary guy. He is also a thoughtful friend, loving dad and budding entrepreneur. As MMA's date with mainstream destiny nears, it's time to reappraise the ultimate YouTube legend.

There was no word on the cause of Slice's death.

Slice had been hospitalized Monday for undisclosed reasons near his home in South Florida, according to Coral Springs police, who had been dispatched to his residence to prevent a potential gathering outside. They said no foul play was suspected.

Slice, birth name Kevin Ferguson, was a former backyard brawler and Internet sensation. He was born in the Bahamas in 1974 but made his home in the Miami area.

He was signed to Bellator MMA and scheduled to headline Bellator 158 on July 16 in London against James Thompson.

He last fought at Bellator 149 on Feb. 19 in Houston. Slice (5-2) defeated Dhafir Harris, aka Dada5000, in a three-round decision. The result was later changed to a no-contest by the Texas commission, after Slice tested positive for anabolic steroids and an elevated testosterone ratio.

Jesse and Fay Pointer, will hold funeral services in loving memory of their daughter, Robin Denise Pointer, who passed away March 14, 2016. Robin was born November 26, 1963 at San Bernardino Community Hospital and graduated from Eisenhower High School. She loved spending time with her nieces and nephew. Robin was a captain in the US Army where she earned her MBA Degree in Business Administration. Robin was also a world traveler. She is survived by her loving parents, Jesse and Faye Pointer; sister Dr. Regina Pointer; nieces Kindall Jackson, Jordan Bobo; and nephew Patrick Jackson.

Services will be held at All Souls Mausoleum (Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary), 3510 E Washington Street, Colton 92324 on March 24, 2016. The Visitation will be held between 9:00 am to 9:30 am, followed at 10:00 am with the eulogy by Rev. Robert L Miller of St Anthony’s Church. Private burial services will be held at Riverside National Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank all of their friends for their prayers, condolences and support.

HAMPTON - CSM (Ret) Curtis Roberts departed this life on January 12, 2016 at the age of 84. Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Shirley A. Roberts; two daughters, Grace J. Baker (Irving) and Tamra Samuels; two sons, Kevin Cooper (Rose) and Rodney Best; grandchildren, great grandchildren, relatives and friends. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 21, 2016 at First Baptist Church Jefferson Park, 615 -42nd St., NN. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens, Hampton. Viewing will be from 1-7 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home and two hours prior to the service at the church on Thursday. O.H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.

84, of Rialto, entered into rest on January 12, 2016 in the comfort of his home, Surrounded by his loving family. Charles was born on June 11, 1931 in Aurora, Illinois. He will be loved and missed by all who knew him.

Services for Charles Leroy Dumas will be held on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 12:00pm at Ingold Funeral Chapel, Fontana, CA. –

Terence Larae McGee went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at the age of 50. Terence was born to Betty Jean Johnson and Harrell McGee on January 11, 1965 in San Bernardino, California. Terence graduated from Cajon High School in 1983 and was a third generation member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in San Bernardino where he served on many ministries over the years: Evangelism, Men’s Choir and Layman. Terence had a strong, bold faith in the Lord and he shared the goodness of Jesus Christ with those who crossed his path. Terence believed his life’s purpose to be the love and protection of family and he spent countless years serving up spiritual encouragement weekly to those who are sick and in long-term care centers.

Terence is survived by his daughters, Colibri McGee and Satyn Bailey; his grandson, Titan Bailey; his Father, John Funderburk; his brother, Courtney McGee and wife Cheryl McGee and their children, Tyne McGee, Patrick St. Louis, Courtney McGee Jr., and Kestin McGee; his sister Regina Winston and husband Delbert Winston and their daughter, Faith Winston; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Services will be held at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church at 1575 W. 17th Street in San Bernardino on Friday, December 11th, 2015 at 10:00 am. Repast will also be held at New Hope Church immediately following interment. Harrison-Ross Mortuary will be assisting the family. For more information, please contact New Hope Missionary Baptist Church @ 909.887.2526

(FRESNO, CA) — Local icon legend Lesly (Les) Howard Kimber, passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2015. Les was surrounded by family and friends. He was 80 years old.

Kimber was the first black elected city councilman from West Fresno. He was co-founder of the California Advocate Newspaper, Fresno’s only African-American media outlet and founder of Fresno’s annual Martin Luther King holiday celebration. Details of his celebration service will be forthcoming.

The family thanks the community for their support and continued prayers.